Citizenship

Learning Objectives

As a result of this experience, each participant should be able to:

• Complete advancement requirement J1f, T7a and S8b.
• Properly display the American Flag.
• Properly raise, lower and fold the American Flag.

Materials Required

• flag pole.
• American Flag.

Discovery

Set up a display of the history of the US flag using the Boy Scout Handbook (pages 56-62). Let Scouts browse this display. Ask how many of them know how to properly display the flag, and how many have participated in a flag ceremony before.

Teaching-Learning

1. Go over the rules for displaying the American flag found in the Boy Scout Handbook (pages 58-60).
   1. When flags are flown at different heights the US flag is always the highest.
   2. When flags are flown at equal height the US flag is always in front or farthest to the right.
   3. When displayed horizontally the blue field is always on its own right and at the top.
   4. When on the stage, the flag is on the speaker’s right. If not of the stage the flag is on the audience’s right.
   5. Never flown upside down except in case of emergency or distress as a signal for help.
2. Show scouts how to fold the American flag. Let them practice.
3. Go to the flag pole and show scouts how to properly raise and lower the Flag.

Application: Flag Quiz

Hand out the Flag Quiz found in the appendix of this book. Score the quizzes with the scouts when they are done. Scouts should participate in a formal flag ceremony to complete S8a and use what they have learned.